Visiting Pink Beach Komodo: Everything You Need To Know
Long Pink Beach in Komodo National Park, Indonesia, is truly incredible. Approaching by boat, my jaw dropped as I realised just how vibrant the colour of the pink sand was, made even more outstanding by the turquoise waters of the Flores Sea that lapped its shoreline.
I couldn't believe just how stunning this naturally coloured pink beach was, so I'm here with my photographic proof, without any use of filters, to show you just how unique (and pink) it was.
So read on to discover everything you need to know about how to get to Pink Beach, why the beach is pink, what to do there, and what beach facilities are available.
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| As of April 2026, the government has limited daily visitor capacity on Komodo, Rinca, and Padar to 1000, on a first-come, first-served basis. If you don't book your boat trips well in advance, there's a high chance you won't be able to visit on your preferred dates. This action has been taken to reduce tourism pressure on Komodo National Park's fragile ecosystem and to support ongoing conservation efforts. |
Is there only one pink beach in Komodo?
No, Komodo National Park has two of the world's most beautiful pink beaches. Long Pink Beach is on Padar Island, and the second pink beach is Pantai Merah, located on Komodo Island. I was lucky to visit both during my Komodo cruise.
How to visit a pink beach
Labuan Bajo, located in East Nusa Tenggara, Flores, is known as the Gateway to Komodo. To reach Labuan Bajo for the start of your boat trip to a Komodo pink beach, you can fly directly from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (3 hours 40 minutes), or from Jakarta (2 hours 25 minutes) or Bali (1 hour 5 minutes).
Long Pink Beach is a remote location on Padar, one of 29 islands in the Komodo National Park. Pantai Merah is on Komodo Island. To reach the beaches, you will need to take a Komodo Island Boat Tour that departs from Labuan Bajo Harbour.
Most boat tours visit one of the two pink beaches and may include other Komodo attractions, such as hiking to Padar Viewpoint, snorkelling at Manta Point, and visiting the Komodo dragons. A day tour is excellent if you're short on time or are on a budget.
If you prefer a slower-paced experience and have the budget for it, a 3N/2D Komodo Island Cruise is an excellent idea. I chose to do one, and I saw all the above, plus more, and had the opportunity to spend longer in each location.
| Recommended Komodo Boat Tours |
|---|
| Labuan Bajo: Pink Beach and Komodo 2-Day Shared Boat Tour. |
| Ultimate Labuan Bajo Experience: 6 Amazing Destinations. |
| Komodo Island Tour Packages. |
Please note that once you have booked your boat trip, you will be required to provide a photocopy of your passport and pre-register your details with your boat operator.
Additional fees for Komodo National Park
Please note that a fee is required to enter Komodo National Park. For international visitors, the permit costs 700,000 IDR (£35.00).
Your boat or cruise operator may include it in the price of your trip, but it is usually requested in addition and must be paid in cash. Therefore, ensure you have sufficient funds with you. If you need an ATM, there are a couple in Labuan Bajo town before you reach the harbour. Ask your driver to stop for you on the way.
Why is the beach pink in Komodo?
Komodo National Park is one of the world's most diverse marine ecosystems. It hosts a myriad of small fish, turtles, black-tipped sharks, and manta rays. It also has a healthy and colourful coral reef system.
The reason there are pink beaches in Komodo is because of a combination of dark pink coral fragments and a type of microscopic red-shelled marine organism called Foraminifera. They are crushed into tiny pieces in the ocean. Over time, they form grains of sand. The pink sand is washed up, creating the Komodo pink beach.
Does the sand always look pink?
The time of day you visit and whether the tide is in and has washed over the beach will determine the hue of pink you are likely to see.
Pantai Merah is often dubbed the best pink beach in Komodo, but on my visit, the pink was barely visible. Our boat guide told us one reason it was no longer so pink was that tourists were taking home red coral fragments from the beach. Whether true or false, I can see reasoning behind the theory.
In contrast, at Long Pink Beach on Padar, the sand was a brilliant, bright pink colour and looked unreal.
What is there to do on Pink Beach?
Swimming and snorkelling
Swimming and snorkelling in Komodo is a fabulous experience. The sea is incredibly clear, blue, and warm, so you'll want to spend all your time in it. And while you won't see manta rays or sharks at the pink beaches, you will see lots of smaller fish. You will also get to see invertebrates like blue starfish, urchins, and sea cucumbers, as well as colourful coral.
Your boat captain will likely have a mask and snorkel for you to use, but it's best to bring your own snorkel set, so you know it's properly cleaned and functional. Some of the ones I saw looked pretty mouldy!
If you have water shoes, take them with you. While the sand is soft, there is a lot of broken coral as you enter the sea, which can be painful on bare feet.
If you intend to swim further out to sea from the shore, be aware that Komodo has some strong undercurrents. Let someone know where you are going, and wear fins to assist you.
Sunbathing
Lounging on a pink beach, looking out at turquoise waters, sounds tempting. However, remember that the sun is intense in Komodo, so be sure to stay hydrated and apply a reef-safe sunscreen with a SPF 50+ protection.
There are no sunbeds or umbrellas to shade you from the sun on either of the pink beaches, so be sure to wear a hat and bring a towel to sit on.
Photography
If you enjoy taking photographs, you'll love capturing the colours of the beach on camera. If you have a drone, even better, as the aerial images you can get are insane. Just ensure you have purchased the correct permit before flying your drone.
Many boat tours include a dedicated photographer on board to capture the magical moments you'll experience in Komodo. We had a superb cameraman, Pong, who captured the photos and drone footage featured in this blog post.
Can I buy food and drink on the beach?
Dotted on Long Pink Beach on Padar Island are local vendors selling refreshments, including beer, soft drinks, and light snacks. Each rustic stall features a seating area and is sheltered by a canopy, allowing you to sit and enjoy your refreshments after your purchase. We didn't spot any bins for rubbish disposal, so please take it with you.
You will need to have cash on Long Pink Beach, as vendors don't accept credit cards. Pantai Merah's pink beach has no facilities.
When is the best time to visit Pink Beach?
April to October are the dry months in Indonesia, and so making a beach trip during that time should allow you the best weather.
Will I see any wildlife on the beach?
Yes, there is wildlife on the pink beaches in Komodo. I was surprised to see a wild boar on Pantai Merah. He was curious what we might have that he could eat, but once he realised there was nothing good coming his way, he wandered off along the beach.
Watch out for Komodo dragons on Long Beach. Padar Island isn't the usual place to see the famous Komodo dragons, but apparently, there are a few that may be spotted close to the beach. As they are dangerous animals, you must never approach one.
If you want to see the Komodo dragons, make sure your boat tour includes a stop at Komodo Island.
Where to stay in Komodo
An important thing to know when planning your trip to Komodo is that there are no hotels in the national park. To have easy access to the harbour to catch boat trips, you will need to stay in a hotel in Labuan Bajo.
I chose to stay in Labuan Bajo at the beginning of my journey. I thoroughly recommend the budget-friendly Seaesta Komodo Hotel & Hostel. It's vibrant, colourful, with great rooms, a rooftop restaurant, swimming pool and sunset views to die for!
If you're looking for a luxury hotel to unwind before or after your boat cruise or day trips, I can also recommend Sudamala Komodo Resort. I stayed here with my family after our 3-night cruise, and it was perfect for spending 2 days relaxing by the pool and on the beach.
My final thoughts about Komodo's pink beaches
Nothing can prepare you for seeing the fairytale pink beaches in Komodo, and for that reason, a trip to Flores in Indonesia should be on every traveller's bucket list. I must say that, having travelled for six weeks in Indonesia, Komodo has made it to my top spot of Indonesian Islands to visit.
Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and once you have been there, you will understand why this beautiful destination holds such an esteemed title. So next time you are looking for an escape to paradise, look no further than Komodo!
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Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.
Komodo has been on my travel bucket list for a while, and I’m absolutely in love with the pink hues of that beach! I’ll definitely be taking a Komodo Island boat tour to experience it up close. Thanks for sharing all the tips - I’m thinking May during the dry season would be the perfect time to go!
Pink Beach in Komodo is still on my bucket list. Such amazing colors with the pink beach and the blue water!
Oh this is really helpful! My husband and I want to go to Komodo in the next few months so this will help with our planning. Definitely going to see if our budget can stretch to that beautiful resort.
You will love Komodo and thankfully the resorts are very well priced for what they offer. Have a great time.
Interesting post, I never knew how the pink beach was formed before, I always thought it was salt rather than coral. It's a shame if the theory is true, and I think that if tourists were told about the consequences of actions like this, they'd be FAR less inclined. Nonetheless, I am certainly considering going there after visiting Bali.
Wow it looks so beautiful! I have heard great things about Komodo Park but didn't even know about the pink beaches.
Pink Beach in Komodo has been on my bucket list for a long time, and your photos make me want to plan the trip even more. The tips about fees, timing, and things to do there are super helpful for organizing a visit. I love that you explained why the sand looks pink—it makes it even more fascinating. Can’t wait to see this stunning place in person one day!
Komodo is a spectacular island from all aspects, the pink beach, the Komodo dragons, manta rays and turtles and tropical fish. I do hope you get there in the future.
I have never seen a pink beach so the Long Pink Beach in Komodo National Park would be on my list to visit the next time we get to Indonesia. I love all the shades of pink against the turquoise waters. A boat tour looks like a great way to visit. Good to remind people there is an entrance fee for the park.
I would recommend the 2 day boat trip as you get to see lots of amazing things in Komodo including the Komodo Dragons and swimming with Manta Rays.
Hello! The place looks really remote, but, probably, worth visiting, especially for those who are interested in diving or snorkeling. Do you recommend visiting from Jakarta, Kuala-Lumpur or Bali?
Fly in from Bali to Labuan Bajo in Flores and then join a 2 night cruise or do a day trip. Its a fantastic beach to visit.